Postharvest packaging techniques for Dendrobium Hybrid Sonia-17

Investigations were undertaken at Department of Floriculture and Landscaping, Horticultural College and Research Institute, T.N.A.U., Coimbatore, on the effect of packing materials on the keeping quality of Dendrobium Hybrid Sonia-17 with different lining materials and chemical treatments. The packaging treatment study revealed that the best lining material as low gauge poly film of 100 gauge thickness with cotton dipped in 8-HQS (25 ppm) covering the base of the spike. This recorded increased vase life of 31.66 day with improved flower quality and physiological parameters. The flower quality was improved with highest flower diameter (8.11 cm), flower longevity (206.66 per cent), bud opening (66.66 per cent), freshness of flower (206.66 per cent), fresh weight of flower stalk (3440 g) and consumption of water (5.84 g). Also, it recorded the lowest values of colour fading (55.56 per cent), physiological loss in weight (5.78 per cent) and rate of respiration (206.66 ppm/kg/min of Co2). The study concluded that use of low gauge poly film of 100 gauge thickness with cotton dipped in 8-HQS (25 ppm) covering the base of the flower spike of Dendrobium Hybrid Sonia-17 as lining for packaging improves the vase life and maintains the flower quality.